Close-pack, high-aspect-ratio camera tripod

ABSTRACT

A tripod includes: a hub defining a set of leg mounts; a set of legs configured to telescopically extend from the hub and couple to the set of leg mounts; a center column including a spherical end; and a head pivotably coupled to the spherical end. The head further includes: a base section; a camera platform arranged over the base section; a set of flanges extending below the base section and extending around the spherical end; a hat arranged over the spherical end; a pivot control ring arranged about the base section, configured to drive the hat into the spherical end to fix the head on the spherical end responsive to rotation in a first direction about the base section, and configured to retract the hat from the spherical end to unlock the head from the spherical end responsive to rotation in a second direction about the base section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/708,962, filed on 30 Mar. 2022, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/127,944,filed on 18 Dec. 2020, which is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/931,503, filed on 13 May 2020, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/847,174, filedon 13 May 2019 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/965,597, filed on24 Jan. 2020 and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/501,118, filed on 13 May 2019, each of which isincorporated in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of photography and morespecifically to a new and useful close-pack, high-aspect-ratio cameratripod in the field of photography.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1-5 are schematic representations of a tripod;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a hanging hook and a mobilemount;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic representations of a mobile mount;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic representations of leg clamps;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic representations of a leg assembly;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a hub;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the tripod; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a camera locking tab.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiments of the invention is notintended to limit the invention to these embodiments but rather toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.

1. Tripod

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 , a tripod 100 includes: a hub 140 defining acenter bore 142 and a set of leg mounts 144 arranged in a radial patternabout the center bore 142; a set of legs 160, each leg 160 in the set oflegs 160 pivotably coupled to a leg mount 144 in the set of leg mounts144 and configured to telescopically extend from the hub 140; a centercolumn 150 configured to translate within the center bore 142 of the hub140 and including a spherical end 156 configured to nest between the legmounts 144. The tripod further includes a head 110 pivotably coupled tothe spherical end 156 and including: a base section 112; a cameraplatform 130 arranged over the base section 112, defining a rail 134 anda locking tab 132, and configured to transiently receive a cameraadapter coupled to a camera; a set of flanges 114 arranged in the radialpattern, extending below the base section 112 opposite the cameraplatform 130, extending around a section of the spherical end 156, andconfigured to nest between the leg mounts 144; a hat 116 arranged in thebase section 112 over the spherical end 156; a pivot control ring 124arranged about the base section 112, configured to drive the hat 116into the spherical end 156 to fix an orientation of the head 110 on thespherical end 156 responsive to rotation in a first direction about thebase section 112, and configured to retract the hat 116 from thespherical end 156 to unlock the head 110 from the spherical end 156responsive to rotation in a second direction about the base section 112.

In one variation, the tripod further includes a camera lock ring 126arranged proximal the pivot control ring 124, concentric with the pivotcontrol ring 124, and configured to drive the camera locking tab 132toward the rail 134 to transiently lock the camera adapter between thecamera locking tab 132 and the rail 134.

The tripod 100 includes a set of legs 160. Each leg 160 of the tripod100 can include a series of nesting telescopic leg segments 162 whereineach leg segment—other than the first, largest leg segment—in a leg isconfigured to nest within an adjacent, larger leg segment of largercross-section. Furthermore, the distal end of each leg segment—otherthan the last, smallest leg segment—in a leg can include a clampassembly configured to selectively clamp an adjacent, smaller legsegment 162, thereby enabling this smaller leg segment 162 to telescopewithin the adjacent, larger leg segment 162. Each leg connects to thehub 140 via a leg mount 144 including a multi-stage leg position stop.

In one variation, the tripod 100 includes a spherical end 156 and a head110 pivotably coupled to the spherical end 156, the head 110 including:a base section 112; a camera platform 130 arranged over the base section112 and configured to transiently receive a camera adapter coupled to acamera; a threaded section 118 extending along a central axis of thehead 110 and arranged over the spherical end 156; a sun gear 120threaded onto the threaded section 118 and configured to translate alongthe threaded section 118 when rotated; a hat 116 arranged on to the sungear 120 and facing the spherical end 156; a spring 117 arranged betweenthe hat 116 and the sun gear 120 and configured to depress the hat 116against the spherical end 156; a set of planet gears 122 arranged aboutand meshed with the sun gear 120; and a set of flanges 114 extendingfrom the base section 112 opposite the camera platform 130, extendingaround a section of the spherical end 156, and arranged in a radialpattern about the spherical end 156. In this variation, the tripod 100further includes a pivot control ring 124 arranged about the basesection 112, comprising a ring gear meshed with the set of planet gears122, and configured to: rotate the sun gear 120 about the threadedsection 118 via the set of planet gears 122, drive the hat 116 towardthe spherical end 156, clamp the spherical end 156 against the set offlanges 114, and fix an orientation of the head 110 on the spherical end156 responsive to rotation in a first direction about the base section112; and rotate the sun gear 120 about the threaded section 118 via theset of planet gears 122, retract the hat 116 from the spherical end 156,and unlock the head 110 from the spherical end 156 responsive torotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

2. Applications

Generally, the tripod 100 includes: a hub 140 defining a set of legmounts 144 pivotably coupled to a set of legs 160; and a head 110including a set of stacked control rings that enable a user to rapidlyadjust pitch, yaw, and roll of a camera—mounted to the head 110—relativeto the hub and legs and to rapidly install, lock, and remove the camerawith a single hand in the same location. More specifically, the tripod100 includes a set of stacked control rings that fall to hand in onecompact location and thus enable a user to manipulate the position of acamera, and quickly mount and dismount the camera from the tripod 100.For example, the tripod can include a set of concentric control ringsstacked just below the camera mount which may be fully engaged anddisengaged with less than one full turn (e.g., less than 360-degrees),thereby allowing a user to quickly and easily move the head 110 a full360-degrees in pan, easily move the head 110 nearly a full 180-degreesin tilt (e.g., pitch and roll), and then fully and confidently lock thetripod 100 in place without repositioning her hand or removing her handfrom the head 110.

Furthermore, by including the set of stacked, concentric control rings,the tripod 100 condenses the pan, tilt, and lock/unlock controls in onecompact location, thereby: limiting features projecting outwardly fromthe head 110; minimizing effective diameter of the head 110; increasingcompactness and space efficiency of the tripod 100 when fully collapsed;reducing weight of the tripod 100; and improving ease of transport,storage, and accessibility of the tripod 100 for a user.

The head 110 of the tripod 100 is mounted to a center column 150configured to run inside a center bore 142 of the hub 140, and the hub140 defines a set of leg mounts 144 that couple and support a set oflegs 160. The center column 150 defines a spherical end 156, and thehead 110 defines a set of flanges 114 extending from the bottom of thehead 110 to form a socket around the spherical end 156, which enables auser to tilt the head 110 relative to the hub 140. In particular, thehead 110 defines a set of flanges 114 arranged in a radial patternmatched to a radial pattern of leg mounts 144 extending from the hub 140such that—when the tripod 100 is fully collapsed—the head 110 isradially offset (e.g., by 60-degrees) from the hub 140 to enable theflanges 114 and the leg mounts 144 to nest (or “interlock”), toencapsulate the spherical end 156, and to thus achieve high vertical andvolumetric packing efficiency. The interlocking head 110, hub 140, andleg sections form a solid and robust collapsed state—such that thetripod 100 maintains a substantially uniform effective diameter whencollapsed—which enables the user to pack away the tripod 100 withoutextraneous knobs or protrusions snagging on other equipment or bagflaps/openings. For example, when fully collapsed (e.g., in thecollapsed position), the tripod 100 can approximate a cylindrical formwith minimal negative space, thereby exhibiting high volumetricefficiency. Furthermore, in this example, the center column 150 candefine a triangular section such that—when the center column 150 isfully retracted from the hub 140 with the head 110 nested around the legmounts 144—the interior faces of the legs 160 mate (or fall very near)the exterior faces of the center column 150, thereby minimizing negativespace inside the cylindrical exterior form approximated by the tripod100 in this collapsed state.

In one variation, the radial distance between flanges 114 can be lessthan the radial width of the center column 150 such that the head 110can tilt nearly 180-degrees about the spherical end 156 in both pitchand yaw directions. For example, a user may: shoot a first series ofphotos with her camera—installed on the head 110—retained in a landscapeposition by the head 110; and then manipulate the pivot control ring 124to rapidly unlock, tilt, and relock the head 110 to relocate the camerain a portrait position. The user may also manipulate the pivot controlring 124 to loosen the head 110 on the spherical mount in order toenable more subtle pitch adjustments of the camera in this portraitposition, such as within a range of 120-degrees less a sum of radialwidths of the center column 150 and one flange.

Each leg 160 of the tripod 100 includes a set of nested leg segments 162(or “telescoping stages”), and the tripod 100 also includes a centercolumn 150, all of which cooperate to enable the tripod 100 to expand toa height several times (e.g., four times) the height of the tripod 100in the collapsed state. When opened, the tripod 100 can occupy a rangeof footprints and heights, thereby defining a robust structure forsupport of heavy camera equipment (e.g., sandbags, telephoto lenses,etc.) and supporting a wide range of applications and uses for aphotographer.

3. Head

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the head 110 includes: a camera platform 130arranged orthogonally to the central axis of the head 110; a camera lockring radially operated about the central-axis of the head 110 tointerface with a locking tab 132; a flanged socket—including a set of(e.g., three) flanges arranged in a radial pattern—configured to receivethe spherical end 156 on the center column 150; a hat 116 interposedbetween the camera platform 130 and the spherical end 156 and configuredto cooperate with the set of flanges to clutch the spherical end; and apivot control ring 124 radially-operable (i.e., rotatable) about thecentral-axis of the head 110 to drive the hat 116 into and away from thespherical end 156 in order to lock and release the head 110 from thespherical end 156, respectively.

In one implementation, the head further includes: a threaded section 118(e.g., a threaded bore or a threaded shaft) extending along a centralaxis of the head 110 and arranged over the spherical end 156; a sun gear120 threaded onto the threaded section 118 and configured to translatealong the threaded section 118 when rotated; and a set of planet gears122 arranged about and meshed with the sun gear 120. The pivot controlring 124 can also include a ring gear mated to the set of planet gears122; and the hat 116 can be mounted to the sun gear 120. The head 110can also include a spring 117 arranged between the hat 116 and the sungear 120 opposite the spherical end 156 and configured to bias the hat116 toward the spherical end 156 and to clutch the spherical end 156between the hat 116 and the set of flanges 114, thereby limitingrotation of the head 110 on the spherical end 156 even when the pivotcontrol ring 124 is unlocked with the sun gear 120 spun up the threadedsection 118 and retracted from the spherical end 156. Therefore,rotation of the pivot control ring 124 about the head 110 in a firstdirection can rotate the set of planet gears 122 in a second directionand thus rotate the sun gear 120 in the first direction, thereby:spinning the sun gear 120 down the threaded section 118; compressing thespring 117 between the sun gear 120 and the hat 116; positively engaginga leading face of the sun gear 120 against a back face of the hat 116;and thus driving the hat 116 against the spherical end 156 to lock thespherical end 156 between the hat 116 and the set of flanges 114—therebylocking the pitch, yaw, and roll position of the head 110 on thespherical end 156. Similarly, rotation of the pivot control ring 124about the head 110 in the second direction can rotate the set of planetgears 122 in the first direction and thus rotate the sun gear 120 in thesecond direction, thereby: spinning the sun gear 120 up the threadedsection 118; retracting the leading face of the sun gear 120 from theback face of the hat 116; (partially) releasing the spring 117; and thusreducing compression of the spherical end 156 between the hat 116 andthe set of flanges 114—thereby unlocking the head 110 from the sphericalend 156.

Therefore, the threaded section 118, the sun gear 120, and the set ofplanet gears 122 can cooperate with the pivot control ring 124, the hat116, and the spherical end 156 to lock and unlock an orientation of thehead 110 about the spherical end 156.

The camera platform 130 includes a substantially planar top surfaceconfigured to receive the base or side of a camera, camera mount, oradapter. The camera platform 130 also includes a projected fixed rail134 to mate against a side of a camera, camera mount, or adapter. Theoperable locking tab 132 cooperates with the fixed rail 134 to locateand retain a camera adapter mounted to a camera in order to restrictmovement of the camera relative to the head 110. Furthermore, the head110 can include a spring 136 that biases the camera locking tab 132toward the fixed rail 134 in order to snap the camera adapter onto thecamera platform 130 when the camera is offered up to the head 110.Moreover, the camera lock ring 126 can define a ramp or cam that drivesand retains the camera locking tab 132 toward the fixed rail 134 inorder to lock the camera adapter between the camera locking tab 132 andthe camera fixed rail 134. The camera lock ring 126 slides around thecentral axis of the head 110. Therefore, the fixed rail 134, the cameralocking tab 132, the spring 136, and the camera lock ring 126 cancooperate to enable a user to drop the camera onto the head 110 with herleft hand and then—while the spring 136 drives the camera locking tab132 against the camera adapter to loosely retain the camera on thecamera platform 130—rotate the camera lock ring 126 with her left handto fully lock the camera to the head 110 (e.g., all while reaching for alens in her camera bag with her right hand).

Then, the user may slip her left hand down (e.g., by approximately 10millimeters) to locate her fingers off of the camera lock ring 126 andonto the pivot control ring 124, rotate the pivot control ring 124 toloosen the head 110 on the spherical end 156, and adjust the tilt andpan of the head 110—and therefore the camera—relative to the hub 140 tolocate a target scene in the field of view of the camera beforeretightening the pivot control ring 124. The user may begin shooting thetarget scene immediately thereafter.

Furthermore, the user may keep her left hand on the head 110 (with herfingers in contact with the pivot control ring 124) in order to makeon-the-fly pan and tilt adjustments to the camera by loosening the pivotcontrol ring 124 with her left hand, repositioning the head 110 with herleft hand, and then retightening the pivot control ring 124 again withher left hand before resuming shooting.

Finally, the user may raise her left hand up the head 110 to engage thecamera lock ring 126 and rotate the camera lock ring 126 to release thecamera locking tab 132; the spring 136 can continue to bias the cameralocking tab 132 toward the fixed rail 134 in order to retain the cameraon the head 110 until the user biases the camera locking tab 132 (e.g.,with her left hand) to retrieve the camera.

Therefore, the head 110 can define a compact set of stacked controlsthat enable a user to rapidly and easily install, adjust, and remove acamera from the tripod 100 with a single hand.

3.1 Camera Platform

The camera platform 130 can include a top section that defines: a cameraplatform 130 (e.g., a grooved or textured surface) configured to carry avertical load of a camera, camera mount, or other adapter; a fixed rail134 extending along a first end of the camera platform 130 surface anddefining an undercut section 190; and a pass-through for the cameralocking tab 132 at a second end of the camera mount surface. The cameraplatform 130 can also include a spring 136 that biases the cameralocking tab 132 toward the fixed rail 134 and that enables retraction ofthe camera locking tab 132 when a camera mount is installed over thecamera mount surface. The camera locking tab 132 can similarly define anundercut section 192 and can cooperate with the fixed rail 134 totransiently receive and retain a camera, a camera mount, or otheradapter over the camera mount surface. The camera platform 130 alsoincludes a bottom section that defines: a threaded section 118 (orthreaded shaft) configured to mate with the threaded end of the sun gear120; and a bore for a spring 117 and a detent-pin configured to engagedetent surfaces (e.g., ridges) along the adjacent camera lock ring 126.

In one implementation, the camera platform 130 can be manufactured(e.g., cast, machines) from aluminum, steel, or a rigid polymer.

3.2 Camera Lock Ring

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 11 , the head 110 includes acamera lock ring 126 arranged proximal and concentric with the pivotcontrol ring 124 and configured to drive the camera locking tab 132toward the fixed rail 134 to transiently lock the camera adapter betweenthe camera locking tab 132 and the fixed rail 134.

In one implementation, the camera lock ring 126 includes an annular ringincluding: on a first face, a set of detents on a first side configuredto interface with a spring-loaded detent-pin; and on a second side, aramp configured to interface with the camera locking tab 132 such thatrotating the annular ring about the central axis of the head 110 forcesthe camera locking tab 132 into a series of locked positions along theramp, which dynamically fastens the camera, camera mount, or cameraadapter to the camera platform 130. In this implementation, the cameralocking tab 132 can be configured to actuate into a recess of thecamera, camera mount, and/or camera adapter to restrict movement of thecamera responsive to rotation of the annular ring. The camera lockingtab 132 can be spring-loaded and interface with a ramp on a ring (e.g.,camera lock ring 126) parallel to the camera platform 130. As theannular ring rotates about the central axis of the head 110, the rampcan force the tab into a fixed position, locking the camera (or cameraaccessory) to the camera platform 130. A series of detents sit oppositethe ramp on the ring and interface with a spring-loaded detent-pin tostagger the locking positions of the tab.

In one variation, the camera lock ring 126 includes a protrusionextending radially outward (e.g., a finger tab) to interface with auser's finger during one-handed manipulation. The annular ring can sitin a plane parallel to the camera platform 130. In one variation, thering can be arranged immediately below the camera platform 130. Forexample, the annular ring can be manufactured in aluminum, plastic, orcarbon fiber.

Therefore, when the camera lock ring 126 is unlocked, the camera lockingtab 132 can pivot or slide within the camera platform 130 to engage andretain a camera mount, thus enabling a user to locate one end of thecamera mount within the undercut section 190 of the fixed rail 134, restthe opposing end over the camera locking tab 132, and press down. Whenthe user rotates the camera lock ring 126 to the lock position, a camsurface defined by the camera lock ring 126 closes toward the cameralocking tab 132 and then engages the camera locking tab 132 to preventretraction of the camera locking tab 132 from the rail 134 responsive tothe user pushing or pulling on the camera locking tab 132, therebypositively locking the camera mount between the camera locking tab 132and the rail 134.

More specifically, the camera lock ring 126 can overdrive the cameralocking tab 132 toward the fixed rail 134 and thus function as anancillary lock for the camera platform 130.

3.2 Locking Tab

In one implementation, the camera locking tab 132 and the spring 136cooperate to retain a camera mount—affixed to a camera—on the cameraplatform 130 without further positive lock by the camera lock ring 126such that the user may push, pull, and/or pivot the camera without thecamera locking tab 132 releasing the camera mount from the cameraplatform 130.

In one implementation shown in FIG. 12 , the undercut section 190 of thefixed rail 134 can be configured to mate with a first beveled face of acamera mount (or a “camera adapter”). The undercut section 192 of thecamera locking tab 132 can be configured to mate with a second beveledface of the camera mount opposite the first beveled face. For example,the undercut sections 190, 192 of the fixed rail 134 and the cameralocking tab 132 can define complementary 45° beveled faces whenassembled over the camera platform 130. In this implementation, thecamera locking tab 132 is mounted to and pivots about a pivot 194 (e.g.,a pin) arranged under the camera platform 130. The spring 136 islaterally offset from the pivot 194 and drives (e.g., pivots) the cameralocking tab 132 upward to mate the undercut section 192 against thesecond beveled face of the camera mount and thus retain the camera mounton the camera platform 130.

In particular, the pivot 194 can be located along (or near) a vectorthat intersects and is normal to the undercut section 192 of the cameralocking tab and the second beveled face of the camera mount whenassembled over the camera platform 130. Because the pivot 194 is locatedalong this vector: the effective lever arm length of the camera mountapplied to the camera locking tab 132 is null (or nearly null) a leverarm; and the effective torque applied on the camera locking tab 132 bythe camera mount—such as when the camera is pulled or rotated over thecamera platform 130—is null (or nearly null) and (nearly) decoupled fromthe magnitude of the force or torque applied to the camera. Furthermore,because the spring 136 is laterally offset from the pivot 194, thiseffective torque applied on the camera locking tab 132 by the cameramount is less than the opposing torque applied to the camera locking tab132 by the spring 136 such that the camera locking tab 132 remainsengaged to the camera mount despite the magnitude of the force or torqueapplied to the camera. Thus, when a user pushes, pulls, or pivots thecamera, the resulting torque to open the camera locking tab 132 is(approximately) null, and the camera locking tab 132 therefore does notrotate away from the camera mount. Therefore, the camera locking tab 132remains fixed in its closed position and retains the camera mount andthe camera in place over the camera platform 130 despite forces appliedto the camera.

However, the camera locking tab 132 can pivot about the pivot 194responsive to a user pushing or pulling downward on the camera lockingtab 132 directly, which withdraws the undercut section 192 away from theadjacent second bevel on the camera mount and enabling the user to liftthe camera and the camera mount off of the camera platform 130.

Furthermore, responsive to a downward force on the top of the cameralocking tab 132 over the undercut section 192 by the camera mount duringinstallation of the camera mount onto the camera platform 130, thecamera locking tab 132 can pivot downward about the pivot 194, therebywithdrawing the undercut section 192 away from the camera platform 130and enabling the camera mount to move downward toward the cameraplatform 130. In particular, the user may insert the first beveled faceof the camera mount within the undercut section 190 of the fixed rail134, rest the second beveled face of the camera mount over the cameralocking tab 132, and press down. The force of the second beveled face ofthe camera mount on the camera locking tab 132 counters the spring 136and applies a torque to the camera locking tab 132, thereby rotating thecamera locking tab 132 downward about the pivot 194 to open the cameraplatform 130 to accept the camera mount. The second beveled face of thecamera mount slides along the apex of the camera locking tab 132 overthe undercut section 192 as the camera locking tab 132 opens andeventually drops past the apex of locking tab 132 to seat under thecamera locking tab 132 with the second beveled face positioned againstthe undercut section 192 of the camera locking tab 132 and with the baseof the camera mount now in contact with the top surface the cameraplatform 130. The spring 136 then automatically drives the cameralocking tab 132 upward to positively clutch the camera mount between therail 134 and the camera locking tab 132.

3.4 Controls Chassis

A controls chassis: is interposed between the camera platform 130 andthe set of flanges 114; houses the sun gear 120, planet gears 122, andhat 116; and locates the pivot control ring 124 below the camera lockring 126. The controls chassis can also define a set of bear surfaces orposts configured to locate the planet gears in a radial pattern aboutthe central axis of the head 110, as shown in FIG. 2 .

3.4.1 Pivot Control Ring

The tripod includes a pivot control ring 124 arranged about the basesection 112 of the head 110 and configured to fix an orientation of thehead 110 on the spherical end 156 or unlock the head 110 from thespherical end 156 responsive to rotation by a user.

The pivot control ring can define an outer annular ring, such asincluding a splined or grooved outside face configured for handmanipulation. The interior face of the pivot control ring 124 can alsodefine an annular ring gear configured to mesh with the set of planetgears 122 arranged within the controls chassis and camera platform 130.

The pivot control ring can be arranged on the head 110 of the tripod 100and can be accessible by hand. Rotating the pivot control ring thusrotates the planet gears 122, which rotates the sun gear 120 about thethreaded section 118 within the camera platform 130, thereby causing thesun gear 120 to translate linearly along the central axis of the head.

3.4.2 Planetary Gearbox

The tripod 100 also includes a planetary gearbox—including the sun gear120 and the set of planet gears 122—arranged in the controls chassis andconfigured to transform rotation of the pivot control ring 124 intolinear movement of the hat 116.

The sun gear 120 revolves about the central axis of the head 110. Theheight of the sun gear 120 can approximate (or exceed) the sum of: theheight of the planet gears 122; and the range of vertical motion of thesun gear 120 between the locked and unlocked positions of the pivotcontrol ring 124. The sun gear 120 includes a coaxial (internal orexternal) threaded section that mates with (i.e., threads onto) thethreaded section 118 in the head such that the sun gear 120 raises andlowers within the head—and thus retracts and advances the hat 116 towardthe spherical end 156—when the pivot control ring 124 is rotated abutthe head 110. For example, the threaded section 118 within the head 110and the sun gear 120 can define single-lead or double-lead ACME threads,which may limit friction between the threaded section 118 and the sungear 120 when the sun gear 120 is rotated via the pivot control ring124.

Furthermore, each planet gear 122: can include a shaft or pin extendingparallel to the central axis of the head 110 and seated in complementarymounting bores in the controls chassis and the camera platform 130; andcan mesh with both the pivot control ring 124 and the sun gear 120 suchthat rotation of the pivot control ring 124 rotates the sun gear 120about the threaded section 118 and raises and lowers the sun gear120—and therefore the hat 116—toward the spherical end 156. In onevariation, the pivot control ring 124 can be arranged immediately belowand coaxial with the camera lock ring 126.

3.4.2 Friction Hat

In one implementation, the friction hat 116 (hereinafter the “hat”) iscontiguous with the sun gear 120. For example, the sun gear 120 caninclude a concave spherical cup section coaxial with the threadedsection 118, facing the spherical end 156, and configured to engage andclutch against the spherical end 156 when actuated by the pivot controlring 124.

Alternatively, the hat 116 can be distinct from and coupled to the sungear 120. For example, the sun gear 120 can define a shoulder (or abore) coaxial with the threaded section 118; and the hat 116 can includea complementary feature that mates with, slides along, and rotates aboutthe shoulder (or bore) of the sun gear 120. In this implementation, thehat 116 can also define a concave spherical cup section coaxial with thethreaded section 118, facing the spherical end 156, and configured toengage and clutch against the spherical end 156 when actuated by thepivot control ring 124. The tripod 100 can also include the spring 117arranged about this shoulder (or within this bore) and configured tobias the rear face of the hat 116 away from the sun gear 120 and towardthe spherical end 156. Alternatively, a set of (e.g., three)counterbores can be arranged in a radial pattern about the sun gear 120and/or the hat 116, and a set of springs 117 can be installed in thesecounterbores to bias the rear face of the hat 116 away from the sun gear120 and toward the spherical end 156.

Therefore, the spring(s) 117 can depress the rear face of the hat 116off of the sun gear 120 and toward the spherical end 156. When the pivotcontrol ring 124 is rotated toward the lock position, the sun gear 120can run down the threaded section 118 and drive toward the spherical end156 such that the shoulder (or the bore) drives into the hat 116,thereby compressing the spring 117. In addition, because the hat 116 isradially isolated from the sun gear 120 and biases against the sphericalend 156 by the spring 117, the hat 116 may remain stationary against thespherical end 156 as the sun gear 120 is driven down toward thespherical end 156, thereby reducing wear on the hat 116 and thespherical end 156. Further rotation of the pivot control ring 124 drivesthe leading face of the sun gear 120 into contact with the rear face ofthe hat 116 and then rigidly locks the hat 116 against the spherical end156, thereby rigidly locking the spherical end 156 between the hat 116and the set of flanges 114.

More specifically, when the pivot control ring 124 is rotated in a firstdirection, the ring gear integrated into the pivot control ring 124rotates the set of planet gears 122, which in turn rotate the sun gear120 in the first direction, thereby unthreading the sun gear 120 fromthe threaded section 118 of the head 110, driving the hat 116 into thespherical end 156 below, and thus clamping the spherical end 156 againstthe flanges 114 extending from the base section 112 around the sphericalend 156 below. Similarly, when the pivot control ring 124 is rotated inthe opposite direction, the ring gear rotates the set of planet gears122, which in turn rotate the sun gear 120 in a second direction,thereby threading the sun gear 120 into the threaded section 118 of thehead 110, retracting the hat 116 from the spherical end 156 below, andthus releasing the spherical from the flanges 114 below.

Furthermore, when the sun gear 120 is retracted from the spherical end156, the spring 117 can function to drive the hat 116 into the sphericalend 156 in order to maintain a minimum amount of friction between thehat 116 and the spherical end 156, thereby retaining the orientation ofthe head 110 relative to the spherical mount and preventing rotation ofthe head 110 relative to the spherical end 156, such as when a userrotates the pivot control ring 124 in the first direction to tighten thehat 116 against the spherical end 156. More specifically, the spring 117and the hat 116 can cooperate to resist a torque applied to the pivotcontrol ring 124 in order to prevent rotation of the head 110 relativeto the spherical end 156 when the pivot control ring 124 is rotated—suchas within a single hand—in the first direction to tighten the hat 116onto the spherical end 156.

3.4.4 Panning Control Ring

In one implementation, the head 110 includes a panning control ring 128.In this implementation, the head defines an upper body coupled to thebase section 112 and rotatable about a pan axis of the base section 112.The panning control ring 128 can be arranged in between the camera lockring 126 located on the upper section and the pivot control ring 124located on the base section 112 and configured to lock the upper body tothe lower body responsive to rotation in the first direction about thebase section 112. Further, the panning control ring 128 can beconfigured to unlock the upper body from the base section 112 responsiveto rotation in the second direction.

For example, the controls chassis can couple to the camera platform 130via a radial bearing or bushing and define an upper section containing asecond threaded section. The camera platform 130 can include a shoulderadjacent the upper section of the controls chassis, with the panningcontrol ring 128 threaded onto the second threaded section and abuttingthe shoulder of the controls chassis. In this example, rotation of thepanning control ring 128 in a first direction threads the panningcontrol ring 128 downward onto the second threaded section, therebyengaging and constraining the shoulder of the camera platform 130between the panning control ring 128 and the controls chassis. Rotationof the panning control ring in a second direction unthreads the panningcontrol ring 128 from the second threaded section, thereby releasing theshoulder of the camera platform 130 from between the panning controlring 128 and the controls chassis and enabling the camera platform 130to rotate—or “pan”—about the controls chassis.

The panning control ring 128 may be operated by a user with one hand byactuating the ring radially about the central axis of the head 110.

3.4.5 Stacked Control Rings

The control rings on the head 110 can be stacked on parallel planes,such that all control rings are operated by rotating the respectivecontrol rings about a shared central axis (e.g., the central axis of thehead 110). The stacked configuration allows a user to operate allcontrols using one hand, and creates a compact and robust form factor.The control rings can each have unique outer textures (e.g., splining,knurling, etc.), such that a user may discern each control ring bytouch/feel alone.

To maintain a small form factor and small effective diameter, the head110 can be free of screw-knobs or hand-knobs. Moreover, each controlring can be fully engaged or disengaged by a single turn (or less), suchthat a user may lock or unlock all control rings with a single motion.

In one implementation, the head 110 includes the set of stacked controlrings including the camera lock ring 126, the panning control ring 128,and the pivot control ring 124. The head 110 includes an upper bodycoupled to the base section 112 and rotatable about a pan axis of thebase section 112. In this implementation, the panning control ring 128is arranged in between the camera lock ring 126 located on an uppersection of the head 110 and the pivot control ring 124 located on thebase section 112. Further, the panning control ring 128 can beconfigured to lock the upper body of the head 110 to the base section112 of the head 110 responsive to rotation in the first direction aboutthe base section 112 and unlock the upper body from the base section 112responsive to rotation in the second direction. Thus, when the upperbody is unlocked from the base section, a user may continue operatingeach control ring as the camera lock ring 126 is located on the uppersection of the head 110 and interacts with other components (e.g.,locking tab 132, rail 134) on the upper section and the pivot controlring 124 is located on the base section 112 and interacts withcomponents (e.g., hat 116, sun gear 120, planet gears 122) on the basesection 112 and extending below.

3.5 Base Section

A second side of the base section 112 includes a set of flanges 114extending downward from the head 110, which form an exposed sphericalsocket configured to receive and hold the spherical end 156.

In one implementation, the spherical socket includes three flanges 114spaced at 120 degrees around the central axis of the head 110. Theflanges 114 can be configured to fit (e.g., nest) between the leg mounts144 of the hub 140 section when the tripod 100 is in a full orpartially-collapsed state for vertical packing efficiency. Each flangeincludes a concave surface on a side facing the inner socket area. Asocket bushing can sit between the flanges 114 and the spherical end156. When the pivot control ring 124 is engaged, the reaction forces onthe inner surfaces of the flanges 114 engage with the spherical socketbushing, which locks the spherical end 156 in a fixed position.

In one implementation, the base section 112 includes a set of flanges114, each flange defining a pliable tip in contact with the sphericalend 156. The spherical end 156 can include a base material (e.g., analuminum base material) and a surface coating deposited over the basematerial, such that pliable tips of the flanges 114 contact the surfacecoating of the spherical end 156. The spring 117 of the head 110 can bepreloaded to clutch the spherical end 156 between the hat 116 andpliable tips of the set of flanges. In this implementation, the springrate and preload of the spring 117 can be matched to the surface finishof the spherical end 156 and a coefficient of friction of the pliabletips of the flanges 114 such as to retain an orientation of the head 110on the spherical end 156 during rotation of the pivot control ring 124in the first direction.

For example, the base section 112 can include the set of flanges 114,each flange including a rubber tip in contact with the spherical end 156and exhibiting a coefficient of friction. The spherical end 156 can beconstructed to include an aluminum base material and a surface coatingdeposited over the aluminum base material. The spring 117 can bepreloaded according to the coefficient of friction of the rubber tips ofthe flanges 114 and the surface finish of the spherical end 156.

4. Hub

As shown in FIG. 10 , the hub 140 includes: a central shaft (e.g.,center bore 142) configured to slidably receive the center column 150;lobes 146 extending outward from the central shaft and including alocking assembly configured to interface with the center column 150; andleg mounts 144 arranged in a radial pattern about the center bore 142and spaced between each adjacent pair of lobes 146, the leg mounts 144configured to interface with leg hinge-joints.

Subsections of the leg mounts 144, the lobes 146, and the central shaftcan combine to form a substantially hemispherical recess configured toreceive a lower section of the spherical end 156 such that, in a fullycollapsed state, the flanges 114 of the head 110 and the leg mounts 144of the hub 140 and leg sections encapsulate the spherical end 156. Byconfiguring the spherical end 156 to nest within the head 110 and hub140, the tripod 100 exhibits increased vertical and volumetricefficiency and minimizes negative space.

In one implementation, the hub 140 section includes a set of magnetsconfigured to interact with magnetic features of each other section ofthe tripod (e.g., the head 110, the legs 160), such that the tripod 100maintains a collapsed state in the absence of user interaction.

4.1 Center Bore

The hub 140 defines a center bore 142 of the tripod 100. The center bore142 of the hub 140 can be configured to receive the center column 150 aswell as lock the center column 150 in place. Generally, the center bore142 defines a non-circular cross-section, thus preventing the centercolumn 150 from rotating within the center bore 142. The center bore 142can include a shaft bushing (e.g., a rubber or bronze bushing) in orderto limit wear on the center column 150 resulting from extension andretraction of the center column 150 in the hub 140 over time.

In one implementation, the center bore 142 defines a hexagonal crosssection having irregular sides such that three non-adjacent faces of thecenter bore 142 each form the inner face of a hub lobe, and theremaining three non-adjacent faces of the center bore 142 each form theinner face of the base of each leg mount section.

4.2 Lobes of the Hub

The hub 140 includes a set of lobes 146 extending outward from thecentral shaft. Each lobe can include an inner space to hold either aprimary or secondary lock assembly configured to retain the centercolumn 150 in a fixed or semi-fixed state. In one implementation, thespace between each pair of lobes 146 is configured to nest a leg of thetripod 100.

4.2.1 Center Column Lock Assembly

A first lobe of the hub 140 can include the primary lock assembly. Theprimary lock assembly can include a cambered rocker arm placed withinthe first lobe and configured to apply force to the center column 150when engaged by a threaded hand-screw. The rocker arm can be pinned at abottom end of the rocker bar such that, when a hand-screw applies forceat a top end of the rocker bar, the camber of the rocker bar (inconnection with the top and bottom force points) creates an area ofcontact at a center area of the rocker bar. The camber of the rocker armallows the rocker arm to disperse the force applied to the center column150. Thus, a thin-walled center column can sufficiently support forcesapplied to the center column 150.

A ball-detent lock assembly can be disposed in a second lobe of the hub140. The ball-detent lock assembly applies force in a first hub planeorthogonal to the central axis of the tripod 100 to hold the centercolumn 150 in a temporarily fixed position. Each lobe of the hub 140 caninclude a ball-detent lock assembly. While the spring-loaded ball is ina position outside of the detent locations, the ball continues to applyforce to the center column 150.

In one variation, the primary lock assembly includes a knob 148configured to engage the cambered rocker arm. The knob 148 can beconfigured to extend in order to enable accessibility and easieradjustment when the tripod 100 is deployed and retract (e.g., nestbetween two legs) when the tripod 100 is collapsed or stored. Forexample, the knob 148 can include: a screw defining a threaded end and asplined bore; a shaft (e.g., a steel shaft) defining a first endpress-fit into a cap and a second splined end configured to run insidethe splined bore of the screw and to transiently couple to a magneticelement within the splined bore; and a spring configured to disengagethe shaft from the magnetic element responsive to a user applying aforce (e.g., pulling) on the cap in a direction opposite the magneticelement. In a collapsed state (e.g., when the tripod 100 is in storage),the second end of the shaft magnetically couples to and is retainedinside of the splined bore by the magnetic element within the splinedbore. Thus, in this collapsed state, the cap can nest between twoadjacent legs 160 and therefore reduce a cross-section and an effectivemaximum diameter of the tripod 100. However, when a user pulls on thecap and overcomes magnetically coupling between the shaft and themagnetic element, the shaft disengages from the magnetic element andmoves outwardly from the splined bore, and the spring retains the shaftin this extended state. In this extended state, the cap of the knob 148is offset outwardly from the two adjacent legs, thereby enabling greateraccess to the knob 148 and easier adjustment of the center columnposition for the user. To return the cab to the retracted state, theuser may depress the cap, thereby overcoming the spring and re-couplingthe shaft to the magnetic element.

4.3 Leg Mounts

Generally, the leg mounts 144 are configured to connect each leg of theleg section to the hub 140 at a hinge joint. The leg mounts 144 are alsoconfigured such that the flanges 114 of the spherical socket fit betweenthe leg mounts 144 when the center column 150 is fully depressed into acollapsed state.

In one implementation, the leg mounts 144 include a multistage positionstop (or “stop”), such that each leg can lock in at least a firstposition and a second position. For example, the stop can enable legs ofthe tripod 100 to operate in a set of positions including an openposition defined by legs offset from the central axis and extendingoutwardly from the hub 140 at a first angle of 25-degrees (+/−2degrees), a low position defined by legs offset from the central axisand extending outwardly from the hub 140 at a second angle between 75and 85-degrees (+/−2 degrees), and a collapsed position defined by legsapproximately parallel to the central axis.

4.4. Packed Configuration

The leg mounts 144 extend from the hub 140 and are arranged in a radialconfiguration about the center axis (e.g., at 0-degree, 120-degree, and240-degree intervals). Furthermore, interior faces of the leg hub 140mounts are relieved to enable the spherical end 156 to nest in hub140—that is, the interior faces of the leg hub 140 mounts are relievedto enable the spherical end 156 to drop into the hub 140 and to beencapsulated within the leg mounts 144. The hub 140 also defines gaps(or “opens”) between adjacent ends of adjacent leg mounts 144, and theflanges 114—extending downwardly from the head 110 and spaced radiallyabout the central axis of the head 110 (e.g., at 0-degree, 120-degree,and 240-degree intervals, like the leg mounts 144)— define widths(slightly) less than the gap width between adjacent leg mounts 144 suchthat these flanges 114 can nest in these gaps between leg mounts 144when the tripod 100 is collapsed, thereby limiting total height andincreasing volumetric efficiency of the collapsed tripod 100.

Furthermore, because the leg mounts 144 are relieved for the sphericalend 156, the spherical end 156 can define a relatively large diameter,thereby enabling the flanges 114 and the hat 116 to cooperate to apply arelatively large clamping force to the spherical end 156 and thussupport relatively large cantilevered masses arranged on the head 110(e.g., a large telephoto lens installed on a camera mounted to the head110) without increasing the height or reducing volumetric efficiency ofthe tripod 100 when collapsed. For example, the diameter of thespherical end 156 can be greater than a minimum distance from the topfaces of the hub lobes 146 to the bottom face of the pivot control ring124 when the tripod 100 is collapsed.

Furthermore, the legs 160 can include magnetic and/or ferrous elementsarranged proximal their distal ends and configured to attract magneticand/or ferrous elements in adjacent legs 160 when the tripod 100 iscollapsed, thereby retaining these distal ends of the legs 160 in closeproximity and preventing inadvertent expansion of the legs 160 duringtransport.

5. Center Column

The center column 150 can be configured to translate within the centerbore 142 of the hub 140. The center column 150 can have a non-circularcross-section to prevent rotation of the center column 150 within thecenter bore 142. In one implementation, the center column 150 defines atri-lobed cross-section. In this implementation, the center bore 142defines a tri-lobed opening with lobes 146 radially centered between legmounts 144 of the hub 140.

In another implementation, as shown in FIG. 4 , the center column 150can be segmented into a set of center column 150 modules. In thisimplementation, the center column 150 includes a center column stub 152and a center column extension 154, wherein the center column stub 152can be formed from a different material than the center column extension154. The center column stub 152 can be attached or detached from thecenter column extension 154 via a fastener located within an accesspoint inside the spherical end 156, accessible when the head 110 isactuated to a full 90-degree configuration. Moreover, modular instancesof the center column 150 can be added to expand the total height of thetripod 100.

The center column stub 152 can function as a center column 150. In oneimplementation, the center column stub 152 can be of sufficient heightsuch that the center column stub 152 a full range of motion for the head110. The center column stub 152 can be separated from the center columnextension 154 via a fastener within an access point in the spherical end156, the access point accessible between the spherical socket flanges114 when the main plane of the head 110 is in a 90-degree orientationwith respect to the main axis of the tripod 100 (i.e. the main axis ofthe center column 150).

Furthermore, when legs 160 are deployed during operation but the centercolumn 150 remains retracted, the head 110 can remain nested in the hub140 section such that the hub 140 section mechanically engages andretains the head 110, thereby enabling the head 110 to support a largecantilevered load (e.g., a telephoto lens) rather than rely on frictionbetween the spherical socket flanges 114, hat 116, and spherical end 156to support this load.

The center column 150 can be constructed from a strong and durablematerial such that the center column 150 supports a minimum load. In oneimplementation, the center column 150 is constructed from aluminum.

5.1. Spherical End

The spherical end 156 can connect to a first end of the center column150. Generally, the spherical end 156 can be housed in a socket of thehead 110, such that the head 110 can pivot about the spherical end 156.In one implementation, the spherical end 156 is coupled to an end of thecenter column 150 opposite the set of legs 160 and is configured to nestbetween the leg mounts 144 of the hub 140.

In this implementation, the spherical end 156 can be configured to nestbetween the leg mounts 144 such that the spherical center of thespherical end 156 falls on or near a horizontal “pivot plane”intersecting the pivot axes of the legs 160, such as less than thespherical radius of the spherical end 156 from the pivot plane.Similarly, the spherical end 156 can be configured to nest between theleg mounts 144 such that a bottom of the spherical end 156 falls belowthe pivot plane and such that bottoms of the flanges 114 fall below thepivot plane when the head 110 is fully collapsed into the hub 140.

The spherical end 156 can also include a scratch-resistant outercoating. In one implementation, the spherical end 156 is constructedfrom an aluminum base material and includes a scratch-resistant (e.g.,rubberized or hard-anodize) coating over the aluminum base material.

5.2 Hanging Hook

A hanging hook 158 can connect to a second end of the center column 150,such that a user may hang a bag or weight from the hanging hook 158 foradditional stability. Generally, the hanging hook 158 includes: a firstprojection having a first cross section including a profile matching aninner cross-section of the center column 150; a retractable secondprojection having a second cross section matching an outer cross-sectionof the center column 150; and a hook. The first projection can include aset of bosses configured to fit a set of detents on the inner walls ofthe center column 150. While retracted, the second projection allows forturning the first projection inside the center column 150, such that theset of bosses can access the set of detents. When not retracted, thesecond projection restricts rotation of the hanging hook 158 within thecenter column 150 by filling the (non-circular) interior cross-sectionof the center column 150.

In one implementation, the hanging hook 158 can also function as a hardstop for the center column 150, thereby preventing a user fromunintentionally withdrawing the center column 150 fully out of thecenter bore 142 when raising the center shaft to a maximum height abovethe hub 140. For example, the hanging hook 158 can include a first enddefining a hook configured to carry a weighted body and a second endopposite the hook and configured to attach to a distal end of the centercolumn opposite the head to prevent passage of the distal end throughthe center bore of the hub. Thus, to release the center column 150 fromthe hub 140, the user may first remove the hanging hook 158 from thebottom end of the center column 150. (After removing the center column150 from the hub 140, the user may also retrieve a mobile mount 180 frominside the center column 150, as described below.)

In one variation, as shown in FIG. 6 , the hanging hook 158 can include:a first end defining a hook; and a second end opposite the hook andincluding a magnetic element configured to couple to a correspondingmagnetic feature or ferrous element integrated into an end of a mobilemount 180—described below—stored inside the center column 150. In thisvariation, when the hanging hook 158 is locked into the center column150, the hanging hook 158 can cooperate with a spring element locatedwithin the center column 150—offset above the hanging hook 158—toconstrain the mobile mount 180 within the center column 150.Furthermore, when the mobile mount 180 is partially ejected from thebottom of the center column 150 but retained by the spring element, themagnetic element in the hanging hook 158 can couple to the magnetic orferrous element in the mobile mount 180 in order to coaxially align thehanging hook 158 to the mobile mount 180 and the bore of the centercolumn 150, thereby providing positive feedback to the user as the userinserts the hanging hook 158 into the center column 150.

Furthermore, when the tripod 100 is fully retracted, the center column150 can locate the hanging hook 158 near feet at ends of the legs 160such that the hook is physically accessible when the tripod 100 is fullyretracted, thereby enabling a user to hook the tripod 100 directly to abag (e.g., a camera or equipment bag), belt loop, or other hoop fortransport.

5.2 Mobile Mount

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the tripod 100 can also include acollapsible mobile phone mount 180 (hereinafter “mobile mount”) arrangedwithin the center column 150. Generally, the mobile mount 180 can beconfigured to receive and hold a mobile phone in an open position. Themobile mount 180 can be configured to transiently attach to the cameraplatform 130. The mobile mount 180 can collapse down to a diameter lessthan the diameter of the center column 150 in a closed position. In onevariation, the mobile mount 180 is spring-loaded and magneticallyattached within the center column 150, such that—upon removal of thehanging hook 158 at the end of the center column 150—the mobile mount180 ejects itself from the center column 150 and expands into a deployedconfiguration for a user to clamp a mobile phone into, and then fix themobile mount 180 onto the camera platform 130 of the tripod 100.Therefore, the center column 150 can define a cavity, opposite thespherical end 156, configured to house the mobile mount 180 in thecollapsed state.

In one implementation, the center column 150: defines a distal endconfigured to receive the hanging hook 158 described above; and includesa spring loaded detent with a magnetic element offset above the distalend of the center column 150. In this implementation, the spring loadeddetent can be offset above the distal end by less than a collapsedlength of the mobile mount 180 such that the spring loaded detentretains the mobile mount 180 in the center column 150 with a portion(e.g., approximately ten millimeters) of the opposite end of thecollapsed mobile mount 180 extending out of the distal end of the centercolumn 150, thereby enabling a user to grasp and withdraw the mobilemount 180 from the center column 150 when the hanging hook 158 isremoved from the center column 150 as shown in FIG. 6 . However, whenthe hanging hook 158 is offered up to an end of the mobile mount 180hanging out of the center column 150 and lifted up into the centercolumn 150 by a user, the spring loaded detent can compress toaccommodate insertion of the mobile mount 180 and the hanging hook 158into the bore of the center column 150.

Therefore, the mobile mount 180 can include: a first magnetic featureconfigured to magnetically couple to the spring loaded detent inside thecenter column 150; and a second magnetic feature—opposite the firstmagnetic feature—configured to mate with a ferrous component located inthe hanging hook 158.

For example, when the mobile mount 180 is collapsed, the mobile mount180 can define a first end including a first magnetic feature and asecond end including a second magnetic feature. The first magneticfeature can mate with a magnetic element located within the centercolumn 150, the magnetic element configured to retain the mobile mount180 within the center column 150. The second magnetic feature can matewith a ferrous component of the hanging hook 158, such that the hanginghook 158 can first connect (e.g., magnetically) to the mobile mount 180when reattaching the hanging hook 158 to the tripod 100. Additionally,the mobile mount 180 can engage with the spring loaded detent locatedwithin the center column 150 such that, when the hanging hook 158 isattached to the center column 150, the mobile mount 180 is fullyinserted within the center column 150 and the spring 117 is compressed.Then, when the hanging hook 158 is removed from the center column 150(e.g., by the user), the mobile mount 180 can disengage from the springloaded detent and drop down (e.g., drop one inch) within the centercolumn 150 before the first magnetic feature of the mobile mount 180engages the magnetic element in the center column 150. Therefore, whenthe hook is removed, the mobile mount 180 can drop slightly within thecenter column 150—without falling out of the center column 150completely—such that a user may easily remove the mobile mount 180 fromthe center column 150.

Once removed from the bore of the center column 150, the mobile mount180 can attach to the camera platform 130 to enable a user to mount amobile device (e.g., a smartphone) to the tripod 100, as shown in FIG.7A. For example, a user may: remove the hanging hook 158 from the centercolumn 150; withdraw the mobile mount 180 from the center column 150 inthe collapsed position; expand the mobile mount 180 to the open positionto retain sides of a mobile device; locate the mobile mount 180 on thecamera platform 130; and then rotate the camera lock ring 126 to lockthe mobile mount 180 to the camera platform 130. After shooting with themobile device, the user may: remove her mobile device from the mobilemount 180, which releases the mobile mount 180 to automatically returnto the collapsed state; rotate the camera lock ring 126 to unlock themobile mount 180 from the camera platform 130; remove the mobile mount180 from the camera platform 130; insert the mobile mount 180 back intothe center column 150; and replace the hanging hook 158 at the distalend of the center column 150.

5.4 Center Column Geometry

In one implementation, the center column 150 defines a tri-lobedcross-section, with each lobe radially centered between two adjacentlegs 160 extending from the leg mount. In this implementation, recessedfaces of the center column 150—between adjacent lobes 146—provideclearance for legs 160 of the tripod 100 to collapse more closely andenable the tripod 100 to reduce to a smaller maximum width when fullycollapsed, as shown in FIG. 1 . Additionally, lobes 146 of the tripod100—radially offset by 120° about the center column 150—yield a largereffective moment of inertia and thus yield less deflection and vibrationunder greater load (e.g., a large camera and/or lens loaded onto thecamera platform 130) and at greater extension above the hub leg mount144. More specifically, this tri-lobed center column 150 defines threerecessed faces—radially offset by 120°—and yields greater clearancealong inside faces of the legs 160, thereby enabling the legs 160 topack into a smaller volume when fully retracted and closed.Additionally, the tri-lobed center column 150 exhibits greater effectivemoment of inertia than a round or hexagonal column of the same dimensionbetween recess faces, thereby enabling the center column 150 to carrygreater loads at greater heights above the hub leg mount 144 with lessdeflection and lower vibration amplitude.

In another implementation, the center column 150 defines a cross-sectionincluding a number of sides equal to double a number of lobes 146between adjacent legs extending from the leg mount. For example, thecenter column 150 can define a cross section of an irregular hexagonwith a first set of three sides, each having a first length, and asecond set of three sides, each having a second length. In thisimplementation the spherical end 156 includes three flanges 114, and thehub 140 includes three lobes 146. The central column can be dynamicallylocked in place by a screw locking mechanism that screws into threadsalong an axis orthogonal to the central main axis.

6. Legs

Each leg 160 includes leg sections 162 configured to nest within anadjacent leg section 162 by sliding along a shared axis. Smaller legsections 162 can be locked in place by a set of leg section locks 172(or “clamp assemblies”). The leg section locks 172 are activated by fliplocks (e.g., c-clamps) that abut each leg joint. Generally, the legsection locks 172 define a height significantly shorter than a height ofa leg section 162. In one implementation each leg 160 includes fivedistinct leg sections 162.

Each leg can splay outward from a central vertical axis up to an angledefined by a multistage leg position stop (or “stop”). Each leg isconfigured to splay further up to at least a second angle defined by theleg lock assembly responsive to actuation of the multistage leg positionstop.

In one implementation, each leg includes a shaft with six faces, threeinward-facing and three outward-facing, such that when the tripod 100 isin a fully collapsed state, each of the inward faces of each leg sitparallel with an inward face of an adjacent leg or a face of the centralcolumn.

Furthermore, because each leg defines a width (e.g., spans an arc lengthabout the center axis) greater than its depth, each leg of the tripod100 can thus exhibit a greater area moment of inertia in its bendingaxis and less deflection when subject to a yaw load than a round leg.Therefore, the legs 160 can cooperate to resist deflection and minimizevibration in yaw as a user rotates a camera—loaded onto the head110—such as when shooting a video pan of a car drive-by.

6.1 Leg Assembly and Lightweight Mode

In one variation, as shown in FIG. 9 , lower telescoping leg sectionsare removable from the uppermost leg section and are replaceable with afoot 164 insert for each leg of the tripod 100 in order to reduceoverall weight of tripod 100, such as when a user is backpacking orotherwise desires reduced pack weight.

In one implementation, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first leg of thetripod 100 includes a first, uppermost leg section defining: a proximalend pivotably coupled to the hub leg mount 144; a distal end defining anotch extending circumferentially about one lateral side of the firstleg section; and a distal end including a perforation, dimple, or otherengagement feature opposite the notch and configured to retain a foot164, as described below.

In this implementation, the first leg of the tripod 100 further includesan upper clamp assembly 170. The upper clamp assembly 170 includes ac-clamp body defining: a longitudinal split extending along the fullheight of the c-clamp body; a clamp bore of internal cross-sectionapproximating the outer cross-section of the distal end of the first legsection (e.g., ±1 millimeter); a lower clamp flange adjacent a firstside of longitudinal split; an upper clamp flange adjacent the firstside of the longitudinal split and above the lower clamp flange; a lowerclamp surface adjacent a second side of the longitudinal split andfacing the lower clamp flange; and an upper clamp surface adjacent thesecond side of the longitudinal split and facing the upper clamp flange.The upper clamp assembly also includes a leg bushing: arranged insidethe clamp bore proximal a bottom of the c-clamp body to fill a gapbetween the clamp bore and an outer surface of a second leg sectionrunning inside the clamp bore; and including a flange configured toinsert into the distal end of first leg section and to fill a gapbetween the internal bore of the first leg section and the outer surfaceof the second leg section running inside the first leg section.

In this implementation, the upper clamp assembly 170 further includes alower clamp: pivoting transiently in the lower clamp surface; coupled tothe lower clamp flange; configured to draw the lower clamp flange towardthe lower clamp surface in a closed position in order to compress thec-clamp body around the second leg section running inside the c-clampbody and thus lock the upper clamp assembly 170 to the second legsection; and configured to release the lower clamp flange from the lowerclamp surface in an open position in order to release the c-clamp bodyfrom the second leg section and thus enable the second leg section totelescope within the first leg section. Additionally, the upper clampassembly 170 includes: an upper clamp pivoting transiently in the upperclamp surface; coupled to the upper clamp flange; configured to draw theupper clamp flange toward the upper clamp surface in a closed positionin order to compress the c-clamp body around the distal end of the firstleg section and thus lock the upper clamp assembly 170 to the first legsection; and configured to release the upper clamp flange from the upperclamp surface in an open position in order to release the c-clamp bodyfrom the first leg section and enable removal of the upper clampassembly 170, all lower leg sections, and all lower clamp assembliesfrom the first leg section.

Furthermore, in this implementation, the c-clamp body defines a lateralsplit extending laterally from both sides of the longitudinal splitbetween the upper and lower clamp flanges 114. The c-clamp body locatesthe lateral split adjacent the notch extending circumferentially aboutone lateral side of the distal end of the first leg section, therebyisolating compression of the c-clamp body—by the upper clamp in theclosed position—onto the distal end of the first leg section rather thanonto the second leg segment below, and similarly, isolating compressionof the c-clamp body—by the lower clamp in the closed position—onto theproximal end of the second leg section rather than onto the first legsegment above.

The first leg can include additional leg sections (e.g., second legsection, third leg section, etc.) with c-clamp assemblies (e.g., leglocks 172) interposed between these lower leg sections, as shown inFIGS. 5, 8A, and 8B. Additionally, each other leg in the tripod 100 caninclude leg sections of similar geometry and can include similar upperclamp assemblies.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tripod 100 can further include a set offeet. In this variation, a foot includes a proximal end configured toinsert into the distal end of an upper leg section—in a particular legof the tripod 100—when the upper clamp assembly 170 and lower legsections are removed from the upper leg section of this particular leg.The proximal end of the foot includes a detent configured to engage aperforation, dimple, or other feature defined at the distal end of theupper leg section in order to transiently retain the foot to this legsection. Additionally, the foot includes a foot surface extendinglongitudinally from its proximal end.

Therefore, for full height range adjustment in a full-assembly mode, theuser: installs lower leg sections and upper clamp assemblies into eachfirst leg section; and installs the center column extension 154 onto thecenter column stub 152. To reduce weight and maintain some height rangeadjustment in a lightweight mode, the user: removes lower leg sectionsand upper clamp assemblies from each first leg section; installs a footinto the distal end of each first leg section; and retains the centercolumn extension 154 on the center column stub 152. To minimize weightin a full-lightweight mode, the user: removes lower leg sections andupper clamp assemblies from each first leg section; installs a foot intothe distal end of each first leg section; and removes the center columnextension 154 from the center column 150. However, in thefull-lightweight mode, the tripod 100 can still enable some heightadjustment. For example, the user may install the center column stub 152in the center bore 142 of the hub 140 with the controls chassis eitherextending above the hub 140 (e.g., with a camera upright) or below thehub leg mount 144 (e.g., with the camera inverted).

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing fromthe scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A tripod comprising: a set of legs; and a head coupled tothe set of legs and comprising: a camera platform configured totransiently receive a camera adapter on an upper surface of the cameraplatform and defining a pass-through arranged along a first side of thecamera platform; a projected fixed rail extending from a second side ofthe camera platform and defining a first undercut section configured totransiently mate with a first beveled face of the camera adapter; apivot defining a pivot axis offset from the upper surface opposite thecamera adapter; and a locking tab: pivotably coupled to the pivot andextending through the pass-through; defining a second undercut sectionconfigured to transiently mate with a second beveled face of the cameraadapter to retain the camera adapter against the camera platform betweenthe projected fixed rail and the locking tab; and configured to pivotabout the pivot to withdraw the second undercut section away from theprojected fixed rail responsive to application of a force on the lockingtab.
 2. The tripod of claim 1: further comprising a spherical end;wherein the head is pivotably coupled to the spherical end.
 3. Thetripod of claim 2, wherein the head is configured to: rotate 360 degreesin pan relative the spherical end; and pivot 180 degrees in tilt aboutthe spherical end.
 4. The tripod of claim 1: wherein the second undercutsection of the locking tab is configured to transiently mate with thesecond beveled face of the camera adapter in a closed position, thesecond undercut section seated over and against the second beveled facein the closed position; wherein the first undercut section of theprojected fixed rail is configured to transiently mate with the firstbeveled face of the camera adapter in the closed position, the firstundercut section seated over and against the first beveled face in theclosed position; wherein the pivot is arranged along a vectorintersecting and normal the second undercut section in the closedposition; and wherein the locking tab is configured to pivot about thepivot to retract the second undercut section within the pass-through,away from the projected fixed rail, responsive to application of thedownward force on the locking tab that applies a first torque, exceedingand opposite the fixed torque, to the locking tab.
 5. The tripod ofclaim 1: wherein the locking tab is configured to: cooperate with theprojected fixed rail to transiently retain the camera adapter againstthe camera platform in a closed position; and pivot about the pivot towithdraw the second undercut section away from the projected fixed railto receive the camera adapter on the camera platform responsive toapplication of the downward force on the locking tab during installationof the camera adapter on the camera platform.
 6. The tripod of claim 1:further comprising: a hub defining a center bore and comprising a set ofleg mounts arranged about the center bore; a center column comprising aspherical end and configured to translate linearly within the centerbore; and a hat arranged over the spherical end; wherein each leg, inthe set of legs, is pivotably coupled to a leg mount, in the set of legmounts; and wherein the pivot control is configured to: drive the hatinto the spherical end to fix the orientation of the head on thespherical end responsive to rotation in the first direction; and retractthe hat from the spherical end to unfix the head from the spherical endresponsive to rotation in the second direction.
 7. The tripod of claim1, further comprising: a spherical end pivotably coupled to the head;and a friction lock configured to fix an orientation of the head on thespherical end.
 8. The tripod of claim 1: further comprising a mobilemount configured to: transiently couple to the camera platform in placeof the camera adapter; and expand from a collapsed state to an openstate to retain a mobile device; and wherein the locking tab isconfigured to cooperate with the projected fixed rail to transientlyretain the mobile mount on the camera platform.